ANCAP rating for Octavia

[brad]

Interesting ANCAP figures KIWI.
Both vehicles got 16/16 for side impact.
The Octy didn't do the optional pole test due to lack off side airbags, so it loses 2 points straight away. Lets assume side airbags will give you an immediate 2 point score
Offset crash test the Yeti scored 4 points (40%) better. I find that interesting. Certainly, I'd be concerned about the amount of brown on the Octavia diagram.

Oh well, I still think I'm safer than any other car I've ever owned or currently have to drive (work cars, etc)

[BluChris]

As I suggested before, if you add in 2 points for the pole test because the Australian version has standard curtain airbags, you notionally get a high 4 star rating. It falls just a little short of the minimum for 5 stars. It's possible another sample might make 5 stars, but it's just as possible it won't. Since Skoda hasn't submitted another car for testing we'll never know.

I knew the Octavia was 4 stars when I bought it, and I knew the main risk was driver knee injuries because I looked at the ANCAP report before buying. In other ways it performs well for occupants, including really critical areas like head injury risk. An increased risk of knee injury relative to some other cars on the market was not enough to make me run screaming into the night. If it worries others a great deal that's fair enough and maybe this isn't the car for some of you.

Otherwise, refer back to my first post. It IS a safe car and it falls into the group that ANCAP recommend - 4 stars plus with all the right equipment.

[woofy]

Put it this way, I have an rs, I'm about to pick up a brand new 5 star rated Santa fe, I know which car I feel safer in. It might be 5 stars, but avoiding an accident in the first place the Skoda would win every time just due to the cars handling.

[gldgti]

diggin up an old thread, just htought I'd mention - my original comment (as brad has illustrated well) wasnt about defensive driving courses - I laugh at the idea really. I mean actual defensive driving out on the road - something that comes with experience and personal training. Its a method of driving that requires a lot of thought, constant attention and concious refinement of skills whilst you drive every day - and if you dont, you fall into bad habits and become complacent.

Nothing at all to do with someone taking your money to teach you how to skid.

Couldn't agree more.


I think the biggest issue is that a lot of service providers offer an Advanced Driving course but call it Defensive Driving. I've done both & they are very different animals. i can honestly say that a Defensive Driving course made me a safer driver.

Here's my list of things that in the last 25 years (of 33 yrs driving) changed my habits & made me a safer driver:

• Random Breath Testing
• huge accident with subsequent court visit for neg driving & other charges - very much a wake-up call.
• Proper Defensive Driving course
• huge daily commute to get to work with no public transport options
• kids in car
• Better cars
• cars with more low down grunt
• cars with more power
• better handling cars

things that didn't help at all:

• huge accident at Oran Park complete with broken bones
• About a dozen minor accidents for various reasons
• draconian Speed laws & cameras, etc
• nagging women in the passenger seat
• Advanced Driving course
• joining & participating in a sports orientated car club